Senior School

As I reflect on the 2022 school year, I am grateful for our first lockdown-free year since 2019!

While we would have preferred not to start the new year under the shadow of the Omicron COVID-19 strain, we were ever optimistic with the reassurance of the government that this year would not be a year of lockdowns. And so it was that in the last weeks of the school holidays, unlike many schools who cancelled all student activities, our drama production rehearsals were in full swing, and we had a successful Rowing Camp thanks to RAT routines!

As we listened to ‘new government strategies’ being put in place with RATs twice a week, we couldn’t help but be proud of leading the way with these strategies the year before. Excited about being back on campus together, we all accepted that the year would begin with regulations for masks on indoors, keeping assemblies in year levels, strict air-ventilation protocols and knowing that RATs were going to be a key strategy in keeping our community safe.

And so, the 2022 school year began amid a theme of the importance of reconnecting, team building and acknowledging ‘we are better together.’ A ‘new style’ first day back saw School Photo Day, Mentor time, Year Level Assemblies, House Assemblies and our Commencement Service take place – with no classes, the emphasis was on settling everyone in, being together and the importance of connections. Term 1 highlights included the Year 12 Wellbeing Retreat at Iluka Camp, the Year 7 Discovery Surf Camp, our Senior School Open Day, Year 10 Horizons Camp, International Women’s Day Breakfast with guest speaker Richelle Hunt and the Head of the School Girls Regatta. The term was a positive start to the year, with reconnecting and wellbeing as the key focus. The new initiative of our Pulse weekly student check in was proving an effective way of getting a snapshot in relation to how students are feeling – supported by Wellbeing Leader and Mentor follow up of survey feedback. There was a real sense of rhythm returning to the Senior School with all ‘on campus’ activities resumed.

Term 2 got off to a great start with our first week back including events such as our Anniversary Service at St Andrew’s Cathedral, the VCE Careers Expo, ANZAC Day Assembly, the FOGA Annual Lunch and sixtyyear reunion and, to top it all off, a fabulous Year 12 Formal which was very much enjoyed by students and staff alike! The term was filled with countless fantastic events, such as our Year 8 Earth Program camps, Mother’s Day Lunch with Firbank parents Carita Farrer Spencer (MC) and Dr Margie Danchin (guest speaker), the FGS/BGS musical production of the Addams Family, NAPLAN testing, the opening of our Louis Williams Arts Precinct and the Year 10 Desert Camp.

As the first semester ended, we were almost ‘school fit’ again, getting used to, and very much enjoying, having all events, excursions, camps, productions and more go forward, and knowing that we didn’t have the ominous threat of government lockdowns looming over us.

This year has seen the hugely successful return of performances to Firbank Grammar School, as our dance, drama and music students stunned our community time and time again. It all began with Twilight Jazz launching the music year, followed by the Music Scholars’ Recital. Term 3 proved to be the busiest term for music events, which began with the Friends of Music Mid-Winter High Tea, featuring the angelic voices of Bel Canto.

The Choral Concert and Supper Sax and Swing 3.0 further delighted the community, while Dance and Drama Week returned in the form of the Winter Arts Festival. “Dance Like No One is Watching” wowed the audience with the creativity of choreography by our students on display, whilst “All the World’s A Stage” highlighted the depth of talent amongst our budding actors. It was so good to have live performances with enthusiastic audiences back with us! Sports at Firbank also returned in full force this year, starting with our House Athletics and Swimming carnivals. As the normal GSV competitions returned, our students showed their grit and determination, with our School enjoying much success across the carnivals and competitions throughout the year.

One of the greatest moments of the year came at the Australian Education Awards in August, as Firbank’s Experiential Education Program was awarded the 2022 Best Co-Curricular Program. We have such confidence in our Experiential Education team, led by Bernie Mills, and we were thrilled to see their hard work recognised at such a prestigious level.

As 2022 comes to a close, I have immense gratitude for the year that was. It has been a year of celebrating the little things and appreciating the events and programs we once took for granted. Heading into 2023, let us all strive to keep the spirit of gratitude in our hearts, allowing us all to make the most out of our experiences together again.

Leandra Turner

Deputy Principal / Head of Senior School